You’ve probably seen that bright yellow and red sign while driving through a strip mall in the South or the Mid-Atlantic. Roses. It’s one of those stores that feels like a time capsule, but in a way that actually saves you money. Honestly, if you aren't checking the roses department store weekly ad before you head out for a grocery or home goods run, you're basically leaving cash on the sidewalk. It’s not just a flyer. It’s a roadmap for surviving inflation.
Shopping at Roses is an experience. It’s owned by Variety Wholesalers, a company that’s been around since the early 20th century, specifically 1922. They know how to buy cheap and sell cheaper. Unlike the big-box giants that use high-tech algorithms to squeeze every penny out of you, Roses feels more human. More tactile. But that also means their inventory moves fast. If you see something in the circular, you better move.
Why the Roses Department Store Weekly Ad is Different
Most people assume all discount stores are the same. They aren't.
When you open the roses department store weekly ad, you aren't just seeing the same recycled inventory you find at a Dollar General or a Family Dollar. Roses operates on a "buyout" model. This is key. They hunt for closeouts, overstocks, and discontinued packaging from major brands. This means one week you might find name-brand electronics for 40% off, and the next week it’s all about high-thread-count sheets that a luxury retailer couldn't move.
The ad usually drops on Wednesdays. That’s the golden rule. If you show up on a Tuesday hoping for the new deals, you’re looking at picked-over shelves. I’ve seen people get genuinely frustrated because they missed the "Manager’s Special" section of the flyer. Those specials are often localized. One store in Henderson, North Carolina, might have a massive shipment of cast iron skillets, while a store in Richmond is loaded up on name-brand laundry detergent.
The Art of Reading the Circular
Don’t just glance at the front page. The front page is the "loss leader" territory. That’s where they put the milk, the soda, and the bread to get you through the doors. The real meat is usually on pages three and four.
Look for the "Compare At" prices. Roses is pretty transparent about this. They show you what the item typically sells for at a standard department store versus their price. It’s not just marketing fluff; these numbers are usually based on MSRP or recent competitor pricing. Sometimes the savings are five bucks. Sometimes they’re fifty.
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You also have to watch the dates. A typical roses department store weekly ad runs for seven days, but the "While Supplies Last" disclaimer is the most honest sentence in the whole building. They don't have a massive warehouse in the back filled with backstock. What's on the floor is what they have. Once the air fryers from the ad are gone, they are gone.
What Most People Get Wrong About Shopping Here
There’s this weird misconception that everything at Roses is "off-brand." That’s just wrong.
I’ve personally seen brands like Hanes, Disney, and even Revlon featured heavily in the weekly circular. The trick is understanding why it’s there. Maybe the packaging changed. Maybe a movie tie-in expired. Who cares if your shampoo bottle has a picture of a movie that came out six months ago? The soap inside is exactly the same.
- Clothing Quality: People sleep on the apparel. The weekly ad often features "Famous Maker" clothes. They can’t always print the brand name because of legal agreements, but if you go into the store, you’ll recognize the tags.
- The Food Section: It’s bigger than you think. Roses has expanded their grocery footprint significantly. The ad will often feature "Truckload Sales" on frozen meats or canned goods.
- Seasonal Shifts: Roses is a beast when it comes to patio furniture and Christmas decor. Their seasonal ads usually launch a week or two before the big players, giving you a head start on the inventory.
Understanding the Store Footprint
Roses isn't just one type of store. You have Roses, Roses Express, and Roses Discount Stores. The roses department store weekly ad can sometimes vary slightly between these formats. The "Express" stores are smaller and focus more on the essentials—think snacks, cleaning supplies, and basic apparel. If you’re looking for the big furniture deals or the massive toy section mentioned in the ad, you really want to find a full-sized Roses Department Store.
Variety Wholesalers, led by the Pope family, has kept this business model lean. They don't spend millions on Super Bowl ads. They put that money back into the price point. That’s why the paper ad you pick up at the front of the store is still the most reliable way to shop. It’s old school, and it works.
Navigating the Seasonal Surges
If you want to see a Roses store at its most chaotic (and most rewarding), go during the back-to-school season. The weekly ad during August is basically a textbook on how to kit out a classroom for under fifty dollars.
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They do this thing where they bundle items. You’ll see a price for a backpack, but if you look closer at the ad, there’s often a "Value Buy" where the backpack comes with basic supplies.
And then there's the toy section. During the holidays, the roses department store weekly ad becomes a parent’s best friend. They get massive shipments of toys that didn't sell out at the big toy retailers. You might find last year’s "it" toy for 70% off. To a six-year-old, a cool toy from last year is still a cool toy today.
The Logistics of the Deal
Have you ever wondered how they keep prices so low? It’s the "Buyout" strategy I mentioned earlier. Variety Wholesalers has a massive distribution center in Henderson, NC. They buy entire warehouses of goods.
When a major national pharmacy chain decides to stop carrying a specific brand of toaster, Roses buys every single one of them. This is why the weekly ad feels a bit like a treasure hunt. It’s inconsistent in the best way possible. You never know if this week’s "Home" section will be dominated by curtains or power tools.
Real Tips for the Savvy Shopper
First, get the app or sign up for the email list. I know, everyone says that. But with Roses, the digital version of the roses department store weekly ad often includes "web-only" or "early access" sneak peeks that the paper circular doesn't have.
Second, check the "Ends" of the aisles. The weekly ad highlights the big stuff, but the "Endcaps" in the store are where they stash the unadvertised markdowns that are even cheaper than the ad.
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Third, pay attention to the "VIP" program. It’s a simple rewards system. It’s not fancy. It won't give you free flights to Hawaii. But it will give you five dollars off here and there, which, when combined with ad prices, makes things nearly free.
A Quick Word on the "Compare At" Prices
Let’s be real for a second. Sometimes the "Compare At" price in the roses department store weekly ad is a bit optimistic. It might be comparing the price to a high-end mall store.
Always do a quick 10-second search on your phone if you're buying something big, like a piece of furniture or an electronic. 90% of the time, Roses is cheaper. But that 10% exists. Being a smart shopper means verifying.
The Sustainability of Discount Shopping
There’s a hidden benefit to shopping the Roses ad that people don’t talk about much: waste reduction.
When Roses buys overstock or discontinued items, they are essentially preventing those goods from heading to a landfill or sitting in a warehouse indefinitely. By shopping the roses department store weekly ad, you’re participating in a secondary market that keeps the supply chain moving. It’s a more sustainable way to consume because you’re buying products that have already been manufactured but were "orphaned" by the traditional retail system.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
Stop guessing and start planning. If you want to actually save money, you can't just wing it.
- Wednesday is your day. Mark it. That is when the new roses department store weekly ad goes live. If you wait until Saturday, the best "Buyout" items—the name-brand electronics or the high-end kitchen gadgets—will be gone.
- Download the PDF. Go to the official Roses website, find your specific store by zip code, and pull up the PDF of the ad. Screenshot the items you want so you don't have to rely on spotty store Wi-Fi or data while you're in the aisles.
- Check the "Manager's Specials" first. These are often located near the front or the very back of the store. They aren't always in the national ad because they are specific to that location's inventory.
- Look for the "Purple Tag" or "Red Tag." Even if an item is in the ad, check for additional stickers. Sometimes an item in the weekly ad gets an extra markdown mid-week if the manager needs to clear space for a new shipment.
- Bring your own bags. It’s a small thing, but many Roses locations are leaning into the "bring your own bag" movement to keep costs down. Plus, their bags can be a bit thin if you're buying heavy cans of soup from the grocery aisle.
- Focus on the "Power Categories." The most consistent wins in the roses department store weekly ad are cleaning supplies, paper products (TP and paper towels), and basic apparel like socks and t-shirts.
Shopping at Roses isn't about luxury; it's about being smart. It's about recognizing that a bottle of Tide or a pack of Hanes socks shouldn't cost a fortune just because the store has fancy lighting. Use the ad, get in early, and keep your eyes peeled for those unadvertised buyouts. Your bank account will thank you.